Multi-piece vertical support for swimming pools

ABSTRACT

A multi-piece vertical support for an above-ground swimming pool includes a flat base plate which is secured to the bottom rails of the swimming pool. A pair of vertical side plates are releasably secured together by interlocking elements on a central plate and the side plates. In another embodiment, two pairs of side plates are provided, and in further embodiment, the flanges or side plates are releasably secured together by a locking element. Each vertical support includes a cap and attachment elements which attach each support to the upper rails.

United States Patent [1 1 Wall [ July 17, 1973 MULTI-PIECE VERTICAL SUPPORT FOR SWIMMING POOLS [75] Inventor: Arvel L. Wall, Helena, Ark.

[73] Assignee: Doughboy Industries, Inc., New

Richmond, Wis.

22 Filed: Sept. 23, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 188,674

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 868,505, Oct. 22, I969.

[52] US. Cl 41172.19, 52/169, 52/300, 52/735, 52/732 [51] Int. Cl E04h 3/16, E04h 3/18, E02d 27/00 [58] Field of Search 52/300, 169, 730, 52/732, 735; 4/172.l9

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 835,478 11/1906 SjobringW. 52/588 1,054,575 2/1913 Levene i 52/731 1,853,090 4/1932 Smiley 52/730 2,086,009 7/1937 Walker 52/301 3,225,362 12/1965 Barrera... 4/172.l9 3,233,251 2/1966 Barrera 4/172.l9

3,274,621 9/1966 Diemond et al. 4/172.l9 3,280,408 10/1966 Gershman 4/l72.l9 3,391,410 7/1968 Melberg 4/l72.l9 3,428,969 2/1969 Diemond et al. 4/l72.l9 3,268,917 8/1966 Diemond et al. 4/l72.l9

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,037,127 3/1964 Great Britain 4/l72.19

Primary ExaminerFrank L. Abbott Assistant Examinerlames L. Ridgill, Jr. Attorney-Herman H. Bains [57] ABSTRACT A multi-piece vertical support for an above-ground swimming pool includes a flat base plate which is secured to the bottom rails of the swimming pool. A pair of vertical side plates are releasably secured together by interlocking elements on a central plate and the side plates. in another embodiment, two pairs of side plates are provided, and in further embodiment, the flanges or side plates are releasably secured together by a locking element. Each vertical support includes a cap and attachment elements which attach each support to the upper rails.

4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures MULTI-PIECE VERTICAL SUPPORT FOR SWIMMING POOLS This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 868,505, filed Oct. 22, I969.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide an aboveground swimming pool with a multi-piece vertical support or leg which is positioned against the side wall of the swimming pool and which is attached to the upper and lower rails thereof.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide a vertical generally channel shaped support or leg for an above-ground swimming pool which is formed of a plurality of vertical metallic elements releasably secured together and which not only are releasably interconnected with various components of the swimming pool but also provide the swimming pool with an exterior leg support which has more asthetic appeal than vertical supports in similar swimming pool structures.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will more fully appear from the following descrip tion made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a swimming pool which embodies the novel vertical support;

FIG. 2 is anexploded perspective view of the'novel vertical support;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the vertical support with the cap and base plate thereof removed; I

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a different embodiment of the vertical leg support;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a further embodiment of the vertical leg support; and

FIG. 6 is another embodiment of the novel vertical leg support.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings and more specifically to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, it will be seen that one embodiment of the novel vertical leg support, designated generally by the reference numeral 10, is thereshown. This vertical leg support 10 is a component of an above-ground swimming pool 11. Although the swimming pool 11 has been fragmentarily illustrated in FIG. 1, it is pointed out that the swimming pool may be of cylindrical configuration and includes a vertically oriented continuous side wall 12 preferably formed of corrugated sheet metal. The side wall itself may be of cylindrical-configuration and adjacent ends of the sheet metal are joined together. It is pointed out that the swimming pool may have a configuration other than cylindrical.

The lower edges of the side wall I2 are received within bottom rail members 13, a plurality of such bottom rail members being interconnected together. Each bottom rail member 13, as best seen in FIG. 2, includes a web portion 14 having a pair of spaced apart vertical flanges l5 integrally formed therewith and projecting upwardly therefrom. One of the vertical flanges 15 has an intumed flange l6 integrally formed therewith which terminates in a terminal flange. The other vertical flange 15 projects upwardly beyond the intumed flange 16. A slot is defined between the inner vertical flange and the intumed flange l6, and the lower peripheral edge of the side wall is received within the slot thus defined.

The swimming pool 11 also includes a plurality of upper rails or seats 17 each being of generally channel shaped construction including a web portion 18 having an inner flange 19 integrally formed therewith and an outer flange 20 integrally formed therewith and depending therefrom. The inner flange 19 is substantially shorter than the outer flange 20, and it will be noted that the outer flange has an inturned flange 21 integrally formed therewith. A plurality of theupper rails 17 are secured together throughout the periphery of the swimming pool.

The swimming pool II also includes a flexible liner 22 formed of an impervious plastic material which has its peripheral edges folded over the top edge of the side wall 12. This impervious liner 22 depends downwardly from the side wall and has a major portion of its area positioned upon the surface of the ground in a manner well known in the swimming pool art. A plurality of coping elements 23 of generally channel shaped configuration are urged downwardly in seated relation upon the upper peripheral edge of the side wall to clamp the marginal edge portion of the liner upon the side wall. These coping elements are formed of a suitable flexible plastic material and are arranged in end-to-end relation upon the upper edge of the side wall. A plurality of generally channel shaped stabilizer rails 24 are positioned upon the coping elements and these stabilizer rails are formed of a suitable metallic material. The upper rails 17 are seated upon the stabilizer rails 24. v

The swimming pool 11 is provided with a plurality of the vertical leg supports 10 and each includes a substantially flat base plate 25 having an upturned inner flange 26 integrally formed with the inner edge thereof. The inner flange 26 terminates in an inwardly curved upper end 27, as best seen in FIG. 2. A portion of the inner flange 26 is also struck inwardly to define a locking element 28 which is adapted to coact with the bottom rails for releasably locking the rails to the base plate. This arrangement facilitates installation of the sidewall 12 with respect to the bottom rails.

Each base plate also has a pair of vertically oriented guide elements 29 struck upwardly from the base plate and each cooperates with the inner flange 26 to define guide ways for a pair of bottom rail members 13. It will be noted that the inwardly curved upper end 27 of the inner flange for each base plate overlies the inner vertical flange 15 of each bottom rail. It will further be noted that the inwardly struck lock element 28 of each base plate also serves as a stop to limit inward movement of each pair of bottom rail members which are interconnected with each base plate.

Each base plate also has a plurality of symmetrically arranged attachment tabs 30 struck upwardly therefrom, and in the embodiment shown in FIGS. I to 3, three such tabs are provided.These tabs are apertured and the base plate is provided with an upturned bead throughout a substantial portion of the periphery thereof.

Each vertical support 10 includes a pair of vertically oriented side members 31 which are of substantially identical configuration, each being formed out of a suitable metallic material and each including a substantially flat inner portion 32 and a pair of outer concave portions 33. The outermost concave portion 33 of ,each

side member has integrally formed therewith a terminal flange 34 which is reversely bent to define a U-shaped locking element 35. Each inner portion 32 has an outturned flange 36 integrally formed therewith. Each support also includes a substantially flat center plate 37 which has its vertical edges reversely bent to define U- shaped locking elements 38. It will be noted that the U- shaped locking elements 35 of the side members interlock with the locking elements 38 on the center plate to interlock the side members and center plate together. When so interlocked, it will be noted that each vertical leg support is of generally channel shaped configuration as best seen in FIG. 3.

The center plate 37 as well as the side members 31 are provided with apertures in the lower ends thereof which are disposed in registering relation with the apertures in the attachment tabs 30 on the base plate 25 to permit connection of the center plate and side members to the base plate by suitable sheet metal screws. When so attached to the base plate, the flanges 36 on the side members are disposed in engaging relation with respect to the side wall 12.

Each vertical support also includes a substantially flat cap 39 which is seated upon and attached to the assembled side members and center plate. Each cap 39 has a downtumed inner flange 40 integrally formed therewith which is positioned against the recessed ver- .tical edges of the inner portions 32 of the side members. A pair of side attachment tabs 41 are struck downwardly from the cap and each is apertured and disposed in registering relation with an aperture in the inner portion 32 of each side member 31. Each cap also is provided with an apertured outer attachment tab 42 which is disposed in engaging relation with the center plates 37 so that the apertures are disposed in registering relation with respect to each other. Suitable sheet metal screws secure the cap to the side members and the center plate.

The cap serves not only to provide additional means for interconnecting the side members and center plate of each vertical leg support, but each cap 39 also provides a seat and means of connecting each upper rail 17 to each vertical support. In this regard, the end portions of a pair of upper rails will be positioned upon a cap, and it will be noted that each rail has a pair of apertures in the end portion thereof which are disposed in registering relation with apertures in the associated cap. Each pair of rails will be disposed in abutting relation with respect to each other. Suitable sheet metal screws serve to attach each pair of rails to each cap.

Means are provided for covering the abutting ends of the top rail member and this means includes an inner top connector member or bracket 43 having a depending tab 44 integrally formed therewith.

The bracket 43 has a reduced end portion 420 which is provided with an opening therein. The opening in the reduced end portion is disposed in registering relation with respect to an opening in the cap 39 whereby the cap and bracket may be secured together by a sheet metal screw.

An L-shaped outer top connector member or bracket 45 is also provided and telescopically receives the reduced end portion 430 of the inner top connector member 43. In this regard, the outer top connector member is of channel shaped cross-sectional configuration. The outer top connector member 45 is also provided with a depending tab 46 which is positioned against the upper end portion of the center plate 37. These top connector members are seated upon the upper rail 17 and overlie the abutting ends thereof. The tab 44 is positioned against the flange 19 of upper rail 17 and suitable sheet metal screws attach the tab 46 to the center plate 37.

Referring now to FIG. 4, it will be seen that a different embodiment of the vertical leg support, designated generally by the reference numeral 10a, is thereshown. In the embodiments of FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the cap, as well as the base plate, have been omitted, but it is pointed out that the cap and base plate will be substantially identical to that shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. The vertical leg support 10a includes a pair of side members 31a each including a flat inner portion 320 and a substantially flat oblique outer portion 33a. Each side member also includes a flat outer portion 34a which terminates in an inturned flange 35a. The flat inner portion 32a of each side member also terminates in an outturned flange 360. It will be noted that the side members are positioned so that the inturned flanges 35a abutt against each other and so that the leg structure is of generally channel shaped configuration. An elongate U-shaped clip 37a is adapted to frictionally engage the inturned flanges 35a to secure the side members together. The flat outer portions 34a of the side members presents a surface corresponding to the center plate 37 of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3.

Referring now to FIG. 5, it will be seen that the vertical supportis designated generally by the reference numeral- 10b and includes a pair of side members 31b each being of substantially flat configuration. Each side member 31b includes a flat inner portion 32b which has an outturned flange 36b along one vertical edge thereof. Each of these side members are interconnected by a channel shaped member 33b which includes flat side portions 34b, flat oblique portions 35b and a flat center portion 37b. Each of the side members 31b has one of its vertical edges bent to define a vertically extending U-shaped locking element 38b. Similarly, the U-shaped channel member 33b also has its vertical or longitudinal edges bent to define U-shaped locking elements 39b which engage the coact with the locking elements 38b to releasablylock the side members to the channel shaped member 33b.

Referring now to FIG. 6, it will be seen that the support 10c thereshown includes a first set of side members 31 each having one vertical or longitudinal edge outwardly bent to define a flange 36c. The other vertical or longitudinal edge of each side member 310 is also bent to define a U-shaped locking element 39c. A second set of side members 33c is provided having opposite vertical or longitudinal edges thereof bent reversely to define U-shaped locking elements 38c, one of which coacts with the locking elements 390 to detachably connect the second set of side members to the first set of side members 31c. A center plate 370 is provided and has its longitudinal or vertical edges thereof reversely bent to define U-shaped locking elements 350. These locking elements coact with the outer locking elements 380 of the second set of side members 330 to releasably lock these components together. Thus it will be seen that the embodiments of FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 disclose vertical supports which are also of channel shaped configuration in the manner of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3.

As pointed out above, these vertical support members illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 utilize a base plate and cap in the manner of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 3. The various components of the vertical support may be inexpensively formed from suitable metallic material and these various components may be formed in different colors. For example, in the embodiment to FIGS. 1 to 3, the center plate may be formed of a different color that the side members. Similarly, the manner of assembling the various components of the vertical supports involves a rather simple operation even though these components are very effectively secured together.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that l have provided a novel vertical support for swimming pools which may be inexpensively constructed and which adds to the asthetic appeal of an above-ground swimming pool.

Thus it will be seen that l have provided a novel vertical support which is not only of simple and inexpensive construction, but one which functions in a more efficient manner than any heretofore'comparable supports for above-ground swimming pools.

What .is claimed is:

1. An above-ground swimming pool comprising a vertically oriented metallic side wall, an impervious liner folded over the upper edge of the side wall and extending interiorly thereof, a plurality of channel shaped bottom rails engaging said side walls,

a 'plurality of vertical generally channel shaped supported each including a generally rectangular substantially flat base plate having an upturned flange integral with one edge thereof, vertically oriented guide elements struck upwardly from the base plate and being spaced inwardly from said flange, and being spaced inwardly from and within the confines of the remaining peripheral edges of said plate, each bottom rail extending between a guide element and said flange whereby each base plate is detachably connected with a pair of said bottom rails,

a locking element on each base plate releasably engaging the bottom rails to releasably lock the same to a base plate, said base plate engaging said side wall and projecting laterally and exteriorly thereof, each base plate having a plurality of spaced apart upwardly projecting attachment tabs affixed thereto and spaced inwardly from the periphery of the base plate, and spaced from'said guide elements, each support including a pair of substantially similar vertically oriented side elements positioned upon a base plate and extending upwardly therefrom, each side element engaging one of said attachment tabs and positioned exteriorly thereof and interiorly of the outer periphery of said base plate means securing each side element to one of said tabs, each side element having a vertical dimension corresponding to the vertical dimension of said side wall, each side element having a vertical locking element thereon extending substantially throughout the vertical dimension of each side element, each side element having a vertically oriented outturned flange throughout the vertical dimension thereof positioned against said side wall, an elongate substantially flat plate having locking elements on the vertical edges thereof releasably engaging the locking elements on said side element to releasably lock the sideelements and flat plate together, said flat plate defining the web portion of each channel shaped support and being spaced inwardly from the periphery of said base plate.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said locking element for each base plate is on said upturned flange and being struck inwardly from said flange, said locking element also limiting inward movement of said bottom rails towards each other.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 and wherein each of said side elements includes a first side portion and a second side portion, each first side portion being detachably secured to one of said second side portions, cooperating releasable locking elements on said second side portions, engaging locking elements on said flat plate.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said attachment tabs is of substantially flat planar configuration. 

1. An above-ground swimming pool comprising a vertically oriented metallic side wall, an impervious liner folded over the upper edge of the side wall and extending interiorly thereof, a plurality of channel shaped bottom rails engaging said side walls, a plurality of vertical generally channel shaped supported each including a generally rectangular substantially flat base plate having an upturned flange integral with one edge thereof, vertically oriented guide elements struck upwardly from the base plate and being spaced inwardly from said flange, and being spaced inwardly from and within the confines of the remaining peripheral edges of said plate, each bottom rail extending between a guide element and said flange whereby each base plate is detachably connected with a pair of said bottom rails, a locking element on each base plate releasably engaging the bottom rails to releasably lock the same to a base plate, said base plate engaging said side wall and projecting laterally and exteriorly thereof, each base plate having a plurality of spaced apart upwardly projecting attachment tabs affixed thereto and spaced inwardly from the periphery of the base plate, and spaced from said guide elements, each support including a pair of substantially similar vertically oriented side elements positioned upon a base plate and extending upwardly therefrom, each side element engaging one of said attachment tabs and positioned exteriorly thereof and interiorly of the outer periphery of said base plate means securing each side element to one of said tabs, each side element having a vertical dimension corresponding to the vertical dimension of said side wall, each side element having a vertical locking element thereon extending substantially throughout the vertical dimension of each side element, each side element having a vertically oriented outturned flange throughout the vertical dimension thereof positioned against said side wall, an elongate substantially flat plate having locking elements on the vertical edges thereof releasably engaging the locking elements on said side element to releasably lock the side elements and flat plate together, said flat plate defining the web portion of each channel shaped support and being spaced inwardly from the periphery of said base plate.
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said locking element for each base plate is on said upturned flange and being struck inwardly from said flange, said locking element also limiting inward movement of said bottom rails towards each other.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 1 and wherein each of said side elements includes a first side portion and a second side portion, each first side portion being detachably secured to one of said second side portions, cooperating releasable locking elements on said second side portions, engaging locking elements on said flat plate.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said attachment tabs is of substantially flat planar configuration. 